SaveTheElephants.ca : Citizens advocating to: (a) keep the three elephants at the Toronto Zoo, and (b) in thealternative, have them moved to an AZA-accredited facility such as The National Elephant Center (TNEC) in Florida.

Thursday, 19 September 2013

As reported by CBC News (18-Sep-2013), the Toronto Zoo's plan to ship three aging African elephants in crates to an animal sanctuary in California is being criticized by several experts — including the zoo's former CEO — as being dangerous or even deadly.

(18-Sep-2013) Toronto Zoo officials Chris Dulong and Jennifer Tracey spoke to CityNews Toronto about how the Toronto Zoo's three female African elephants are planned to make the trek to an animal sanctuary in California, 4218 km away, by truck in steel transport crates. Toka, Thika and Iringa are planned to travel after the Thanksgiving weekend (i.e.: after 14-Oct-2013).

Saturday, 29 December 2012

Stop the transfer of these elephants to a sanctuary with two tuberculosis deaths in 2 years and current active tuberculosis which was transmitted ON SITE from one elephant (now deceased) to another. These TB+ Asian elephants shared a barn with the African elephants for five years... the last African elephant to die, Ruby has had no cause of death ever determined and the sanctuary would not provide her tissue culture reports to the Toronto zoo, WHY?

Transcript:

0:00 - TUBERCULOSIS IS NOT FREEDOM

0:05 - Refuting Propaganda 2.0

0:10 - Why would anyone deliberately expose three healthy elephants to a deadly disease? In the name of a cause?

0:18 - And send them to a facility with proven tuberculosis transmission on site?

0:23 - [TRUTH] [LIES LIES LIES ...]

0:30 - Sometimes the TRUTH challenges what we want to believe in

0:35 - Toronto City Council Will force the Toronto Zoo Elephants to be moved to a sanctuary which has a scientifically proven tuberculosis risk in both its African and Asian herds. Why?

0:42 - What is objectionable, what is dangerous, about extremists is not that they are extreme, but that they are intolerant. The evil is not what they say about their cause but what they say about their opponents.

0:48 - Is your animal rights cause more important than true animal welfare?

0:53 - We are not your post children

0:58 - We are not a trophy

1:03 - We are not your victory

1:08 - You have no right to risk our lives in the name of your self-righteous dogma

1:13 - To sentence us to death ... With your propaganda

1:20 - We are NOT your political pawns

1:25 - This is not animal welfare

1:30 - This is Animal Abuse

1:35 - There are safer alternatives. But your egos and your arrogance have more value than the truth. More value than our LIVES

Members of the public gave deputations regarding several important issues:

How is it that City Council could use Dr. Cork's report to say that due diligence has been met. The Toronto Zoo veterinarians are the ones who should be making that decision.

That Dr. Cork's report may not be independent. The letter by Dean Cribb (page 2) refers to the report as the "2012 PAWS report" and two attachments ("Cover Letter to Zoocheck" and "PAWS Zoocheck UCVM Release Authorization") are missing from the submission. When Dr. Cork was asked to supply information that was partially missing from her report and that she must have available since she is the author of the report, she said to contact Zoocheck.

That the submission to City Council contained three pages entitled "Notes on the Report" (pages 3-4) and "DISCUSSION POINTS" (page 5) that appear to not be from Dr. Cork. The authorship of those pages is in question.

That the City Council merely advised the Toronto Zoo Board and was not directing them when City Council made its decision on 27-Dec-2012.

Whether Dr. Cork contacted the Toronto Zoo senior veterinarians in preparing her report, and whether the Toronto Zoo senior veterinarians have reviewed Dr. Cork's report and have comments on it.

That Dr. Dale Smith said during her deputation at Executive Committee (5-Nov-2012), "The shipment of elephants without any evidence of tuberculosis to a location where animals have died with active disease, and where a strong possibility exists of there being additional infected animals, is an unethical decision."

That the Toronto Zoo senior veterinarians are being put into an ethical dilemma if they are asked by the Toronto Zoo Board to move the elephants considering that they have concluded that PAWS is not a suitable facility. The Toronto Zoo senior veterinarians must uphold their professional responsibility.

That the Toronto Zoo senior veterinarians are responsible for the animals at the Toronto Zoo and thus they could not abstain from any decision, and that they could lose their veterinarian licenses.

Whether the Toronto Zoo's senior veterinarians should resign.

That the company Active Environments may not be an ethically suitable company to be brought in to crate train the elephants. There may be a connection to dolphin drive hunting in Taiji, Japan.

With regards to Dr. Cork's independence, Councillor Lindsay Luby commented that when her office contacted Dr. Cork to confirm independence, Dr. Cork referred to Zoocheck rather than directly answering the question herself.

Councillor Lindsay Luby stated that Dr. Cork's report was handed out at the Toronto City Council meeting and that the Councillors did not have a chance to read it beforehand.

Councillor De Baeremaeker suggested that if a professional is asked to do something by their employer that they feel is unethical then they should resign as a matter of principle. And he suggested that advice should be given to the zoo staff, that they should be encouraged to resign.

Prof. Ian Duncan stated that if the Toronto Zoo veterinarians were to resign, any replacement veterinarian would make the same ethical decision. Councillor De Baeremaeker replied that he and CEO John Tracogna had met with several veterinarians in the prior week and that those veterinarians said they would be comfortable transporting the elephants to PAWS.

Requested the Chief Executive Officer to provide a report to the Board of Management on Active Environments' qualifications and competence to work with Toronto Zoo staff on elephants.

Requested that if air transportation is used to move the elephants, a pressurized plane with sound and temperature control be used and that each elephant be placed in a suitably sized crate, prior to transportation, thereby meeting the International Animal Transportation standards, to the satisfaction of the Chief Executive Officer of the Toronto Zoo.

Thanked Toronto Zoo staff for their work in support of the Zoo.

Requested Toronto Zoo staff to not consider resigning over this issue.

Friday, 14 December 2012

Video: "Truth For Toronto Zoo Elephants - We Will Continue to Fight For You"

Description:

Animal rights ideologies should not supersede true animal welfare. When your cause and the need to define one's self becomes greater than, more important than the health and well being of animal then it is time to re-evaluate the motives of the spiritual leaders of your agendas. Science facts and logic have proven that there is a tuberculosis risk if the Toronto Zoo elephants are transferred to PAWS Sanctuary. No matter how much you want to support the sanctuary or how much you are against the institution of zoos at no point should your emotions or personal opinions override the logical truth. The sanctuary is not safe for ANY ELEPHANT AT THIS TIME.You have no right to force our elephants to be deliberately and irresponsibly exposed to this deadly disease. "Fare Thee Well" copyright The Rankin Family. I do not own the copyright to this song nor am I using it for profit. Its beautiful classic Canadian music for three beautiful Canadian elephants whose lives we cherish and value enough to fight for.

Thursday, 6 December 2012

On 28-Nov-2012, one day after Toronto City Council voted 32-8 to send the three Toronto Zoo elephants to the PAWS facility in California, Councillor Lindsay Luby announced her continuing support of the Toronto Zoo elephants. The following excerpt appeared in the Globe and Mail (28-Nov-2012):

A Toronto city councillor is vowing to do everything she can to stop the transfer of three aging African elephants from the Toronto Zoo to a California sanctuary, fearing their safety could be jeopardized and the zoo could lose standing with a national organization.

“It’s never over till it’s over,” councillor Gloria Lindsay Luby told The Globe and Mail Wednesday. “My heart and soul is in this and I believe in doing the right thing for our animals.”

... The vote came after both the CEO of the Toronto Zoo, John Tracogna, and its top veterinarian presented evidence to council that sending the elephants to the sanctuary would put them at risk of being exposed to tuberculosis.

... On Wednesday, Ms. Lindsay Luby was critical of many of her fellow councillors. “I’m not an expert, nor is anyone on council,” she said. “When you don’t know the details, it’s easy to make a decision.”

At the Toronto City Council meeting on 27-Nov-2012, Toronto Zoo's CEO John Tracogna and senior veterinarian Dr. Graham Crawshaw had stated their concerns, including tuberculosis (TB) and bio-security issues at PAWS.

The discussion can be viewed on Rogers TV: Toronto City Council, 27-Nov-2012. The discussion of EX24.30 starts at time marker 487:10, about 73% into the video, about where the letter "l" is in the title "Council".

The Toronto Zoo's CEO John Tracogna and senior veterinarian Dr. Graham Crawshaw were present and answered questions from the Councillors. The Zoo presented its concerns and stated that it had concluded that the PAWS facility was not suitable. The documents that had been submitted as part of EX24.30 were:

Several Councillors were practically verbally attacking the Toronto Zoo staff. While several Councillors stood and spoke in defence of the Toronto Zoo staff and urged Councillors to "do the right thing", including Councillors Ainslie, Grimes, Holyday, Lindsay Luby and Shiner.

In the end, City Council went against the professional advice of the Toronto Zoo professionals and decided by 32-8 to send the Toronto Zoo elephants to PAWS by 31-Dec-2012 or as soon as possible. City Council adopted the following motions:

1. City Council reaffirm its previous decision (MM13.9; October 24-25, 2011) to transfer the Toronto Zoo elephants (Toka, Thika and Iringa) to the Performing Welfare Society (PAWS) sanctuary (in San Andreas, California) on or before December 31, 2012 or as soon as possible and all funding for the move will be paid by PAWS.

2. City Council, having reviewed the due diligence process undertaken by the Toronto Zoo, accept the independent infectious disease report provided by Dr. Susan Cork that PAWS is a safe facility and meets the requirements of the due diligence process.

3. City Council advise the Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo that it considers the due diligence process to be complete and that the three elephants be made available for transport under the coordination of Active Environments including the responsibility for the transportation plan and to be paid for by PAWS.

Even though the Toronto Zoo professionals had concluded in their report that the PAWS facility has a tuberculosis (TB) and bio-security issue, the City Council accepted the disease report provided by Dr. Susan Cork of the University of Calgary. See Dr. Cork's report: part 1, part 2.

City Council saying that due diligence is complete and that everything is fine does not make it fine. There is still an elephant at PAWS with active and infectious tuberculosis, there are still African elephants at PAWS that shared a barn with that elephant, there is still no plan for safe and humane transport to PAWS, and the crate for Toka still does not fit her. Does this sound fine to you? Moving the Toronto Zoo elephants to PAWS is not in the best interest of the elephants. The Toronto Zoo professionals have said to not do it.

In addition to the elephant issue, Councillor De Baeremaeker who is on the Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo moved a motion related to AZA and CAZA accreditation. City Council adopted the following motion:

4. City Council request the Chief Executive Officer, Toronto Zoo to apply for admission to the Canadian Association of Zoos (CAZA) and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) once both of these organizations demonstrate that their standards of care meet or exceed the standards of care adopted by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) and both CAZA and AZA enforce their own guidelines, to the satisfaction of the Toronto Zoo Board.

AZA had already revoked Toronto Zoo's AZA accreditation. And CAZA had already suspended Toronto Zoo's CAZA accreditation, meaning that it was not yet revoked but would be revoked if governance issues were not resolved. Now that City Council voted to move the elephants against the recommendations of the Zoo, there is little doubt that CAZA will revoke its accreditation too. With the above motion and the fact that Councillors Cho and De Baeremaeker have been re-appointed to the Toronto Zoo Board, it may be a very long time, if ever, when the Toronto Zoo regains AZA and CAZA accreditation. Lack of both accreditations will hamper the Zoo's participation in the Species Survival Plan (SSP) conservation efforts. Even if City Council passed this motion as a political statement against AZA and CAZA, City Council may not have fully appreciated the long term consequences of the motion as it would affect the survival of species.

City Council also adopted the following motion regarding the City of Edmonton's Asian elephant Lucy:

5. City Council encourage the City of Edmonton to take immediate action to move its lone, 37-year old Asian elephant Lucy to a warmer climate (as the City of Toronto has decided to do for Iringa, Toka and Thika) and that the City of Edmonton invite independent veterinarians to assist in assessing Lucy's condition and treat her, if necessary, so that she can be sent to one of the two elephant sanctuaries in the United States as soon as possible.

"It's none of their business what we do in the city of Edmonton," he said. "I don't butt into Toronto's business. I don't appreciate it at all." Mandel said it's "disrespectful" for another city to pass a resolution about what Edmonton should or shouldn't do.

Zoocheck Canada, PAWS's representative in Canada, had unsuccessfully tried earlier to get Lucy moved out of the Edmonton Valley Zoo. The above motion moved by Councillor De Baeremaeker is clearly in support of Zoocheck Canada's efforts. Zoocheck Canada's Campaigns Director was in the audience at the City Council meeting and could be seeing advising Councillors Berardinetti, Cho, De Baeremaeker at various times during the discussions.

Not only was November 27th a sad day for the future of Toka, Thika and Iringa, it was a sad day for the Toronto Zoo and for zoos everywhere.

From what happened at City Council, one thing is absolutely clear. The Toronto Zoo must move to an independent governance model separate from Toronto City Council. The Toronto Zoo must be operated by a Zoological Society that listens to and appreciates the advice of the Toronto Zoo professionals. See: The Future of Toronto Zoo Governance.

Sunday, 25 November 2012

Famed activist and wildlife biologist Sybelle Foxcroft endorses the Toronto Zoo in their concerns about bio-security and tuberculosis (TB) issues at PAWS.

Ms. Foxcroft was provided with all the supporting scientific evidence and background research on the matter of the Toronto Zoo elephants. After reviewing a mountain of information, she graciously offered her support in a letter which has been forwarded to Toronto City Council et al.

In her letter, she writes ...

I have had the opportunity to revue all scientific documentation relating to the transfer of Iringa, Thika and Toka, and I agree, without doubt, that Toronto Zoo has solid ground, backed by science, to stop the transfer of their three female African Elephants.

Further in her letter, she writes ...

I personally find that Toronto Zoo is acting in a most highly professional manner and abiding by all disease prevention protocols, along with doing everything in their power to ensure the safety of their precious elephants.

It would be an utter tragedy if these elephants were transferred from Toronto Zoo when the crystal clear scientific facts have not been investigated, viewed or given the opportunity to be presented.

In conclusion, she writes ...

These three elephants are currently safe from disease thanks to the years of dedication and professionalism of the Toronto Zoo. Let’s keep it that way and employ all professionalism, and separate that from emotionally charged opinions.

As requested by the Executive Committee, this report provides the results of the Toronto Zoo's Due Diligence Review of the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) facility, in relation to the transfer of the Zoo's three African elephants, Toka, Thika and Iringa. Based on the Due Diligence Review, and in the opinion of the Toronto Zoo Senior Veterinarian, the Toronto Zoo CEO concludes that PAWS is not a suitable facility for the three elephants, due to the presence of tuberculosis in the PAWS elephant collection, lack of access to PAWS' current health records, and issues concerning biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of disease at PAWS. Additionally, there is no workable transportation plan currently in place from PAWS, for the safe and humane transport of the elephants.

As requested by the Executive Committee, Toronto Zoo has looked at some options for the relocation of the elephants. Toronto Zoo has made inquiries with the National Elephant Centre (TNEC), a new facility opening in Florida in early spring 2013. TNEC has offered to house the three Toronto Zoo elephants as per the attached letter. Given the choice between a facility with a potential disease risk and one without, the Toronto Zoo would choose the disease free location. Zoo staff will undertake a full review of TNEC and any other potential options and report to the Toronto Zoo Board of Management on a recommended future home for the three elephants.

The California sanctuary slated as the next home for the Toronto Zoo’s three remaining elephants “isn’t suitable” because it has a problem with tuberculosis, says the zoo’s CEO in a report set to go before city council next week.

“There are several significant concerns that lead the Toronto Zoo to conclude PAWS (Performing Animal Welfare Society) is not an acceptable facility for the Toronto Zoo’s elephants,” a due diligence review, conducted by zoo staff and going before city council next week, says.

... A majority of Councillors on the committee, Ford included, approved a motion from Councillor David Shiner ordering the three elephants be moved “as soon as possible” to a facility zoo staff “determine is the best location.”

The committee also requested that the CEO of the Zoo report directly to Council setting out the results of the due diligence review conducted [of] the Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) facility. They also asked the CEO attend City Council meetings to answer questions on that review.

"(The elephants) should go to the place that our experts think is best," [Councillor Shiner] said. "The last thing we are, are experts about where these animals should go." Zoo staff will be reporting to council directly on the result of the due diligence review of PAWS and answer any questions for Councillors.

Deputy mayor Doug Holyday said council shouldn't have voted to send the elephants to California in the first place. "I couldn't believe what happened that night, that so many people were stampeded in the wrong direction," he said. ...

"There is overwhelming evidence that there is active (tuberculosis) infection at the PAWS sanctuary," [Ian Duncan, Professor Emeritus], said. "In my opinion, it is completely unethical to send animals that are known to be free from TB to a facility where that infection is known to exist." "I'm an expert in animal welfare and tuberculosis reduces welfare," Duncan added.

When Toronto City Council meets in two weeks, more than a year will have passed since the 31-4 vote to send the Toronto Zoo’s three elephants to a sanctuary in California. That means the controversial decision could be reversed with only a simple majority vote, not a two-thirds supermajority. ...

In September, the zoo’s senior veterinarian, Graham Crawshaw, told reporters he is concerned about active cases of tuberculosis at the California sanctuary, known as the Performing Animal Welfare Society, or PAWS. The zoo, Crawshaw said, was continuing its “due diligence” probe of PAWS. ...

The zoo board voted at its September meeting to send a report on the status of the transfer to Mayor Rob Ford’s executive committee meeting and then on to council. Councillors may prefer to wait until the report is brought forward in November before they undertake any new vote.

Tuesday, 9 October 2012

At the 25-Sep-2012 meeting of the Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo, the zoo's CEO John Tracogna and the zoo's senior veterinarian Dr. Graham Crawshaw presented the Elephant Transfer Status report in which four major issues were identified: 1. Permits, 2. Final Transportation Plan, 3. Crates and Training, and 4. Medical and Health Records.

Dr. Crawshaw said he is not satisfied PAWS has sufficient quarantine measures in place to protect the Toronto animals. “Based on what I know, I cannot recommend it,” he said about the planned move. -- source: Globe and Mail (25-Sep-2012)

At a press conference held on 25-Sep-2012 at the Toronto Zoo, the Toronto Zoo released a press package titled "Several Outstanding Items Remain Including Major Health Concerns Regarding the Transfer of the Toronto Zoo Elephants".
CEO John Tracogna and senior veterinarian Dr. Graham Crawshaw identified four major issues:

At the meeting of the Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo on 25-Sep-2012, the residents of Toronto were given the opportunity to make deputations. Four speakers were scheduled; however, only Lisa Selby and Peter Cusimano made presentations.

Lisa Selby from Zoos Matter spoke about medical issues, and Peter Cusimano spoke on the issue of due diligence.

Monday, 24 September 2012

The time has come for the Toronto Zoo to terminate its agreement with PAWS. Questions arising from the due diligence process cannot indefinitely remain unsatisfactorily answered.

The Toronto Star is reporting today that "over the past several months, the zoo has accused Zoocheck/PAWS of failing to hand over all the medical records it is seeking. A major concern has been reports of tuberculosis at the U.S. facility."

There are also reports that the Zoo has not signed off on a transportation plan. The plan calls for flying these three elderly elephant for several hours in a cargo plane's cargo bay which is only partially pressurized. It is recommended that the humans wear oxygen masks. Is it safe and humane to fly three elderly elephants in a partially pressurized cargo bay where it is recommended that humans wear oxygen masks?

If the due diligence process cannot be satisfied within a reasonable time then the proper thing to do is for the Toronto Zoo to exercise its legal right to end the agreement to send the elephants to PAWS.

Section 17 of the agreement states:

17. If, as a result of its due diligence review of ARK 2000 and PAWS, the CEO is not satisfied that ARK 2000 and/or PAWS are suitable or financially viable to care for the Elephants, the CEO shall report to the Board and to Toronto City Council of this decision and the reasons therefor. If the CEO's decision is affirmed by the Board and Toronto City Council, the Board may terminate this Agreement upon written notice to PAWS in which event this Agreement shall be null and void and neither party shall have recourse against the other party.

The Toronto Star in its editorial on 29-Aug-2012 stated, "City council made a Jumbo mistake last year when it voted to send three elephants to an unaccredited sanctuary rather than an accredited zoo. In doing so, politicians rejected a decision by the zoo’s board and advice from the zoo’s own experts."

It is time to do the right thing and terminate the agreement and look at alternatives.

Are City councillors listening to the USDA and Toronto Zoo professionals?
The following excerpts are from the Toronto Star:

Toronto Star (24-Sep-2012):

The U.S. Department of Agriculture also found that two other elephants that died at PAWS within the past two years also tested positive for [tuberculosis] TB, according to necropsy reports. -- source: Toronto Star (24-Sep-2012)

Toronto Star (19-Jun-2012):

Like Rebecca, Sabu, an Asian male, also had mycobacterium tuberculosis in his lung tissue. USDA spokesperson David Sacks said Tuesday the agency considers that to mean positive and “infectious’’ cases of [tuberculosis] TB. -- source: Toronto Star (19-Jun-2012)

Toronto Star (14-Jun-2012):

City councillors who support sending the Toronto Zoo's African elephants to the PAWS sanctuary in California insist the three should go despite a lab test this week showing that an elephant at the [PAWS] U.S. facility tested positive for [tuberculosis] TB. -- source: Toronto Star (14-Jun-2012)

If approved by the city, the plan will create an oversight body called the Toronto Zoological Society headed by a 24-member board which will include leaders from the corporate world and the community, but no city councilors.

Toronto Council forced the zoo to accept transfer of its elephants to a non-accredited California sanctuary after the board decided on sending the animals to another zoo. Dr. Cal Bricker, chairperson of the zoo board’s governance committee, said the episode was a perfect example of people using the board “as a political forum” and creating “a large distraction from doing what we have to do” to improve the zoo and draw in more partnerships and donations. “It’s unclear who runs the zoo” at present...

"The model that the current zoo board proposes is very similar to the one upon which the zoo was founded in the early 1970s. I was the first membership secretary for the Metropolitan Toronto Zoological Society, a non-profit organization that operated the Metro Toronto Zoo (as it was then called) ..." -- Catherine Brydon.

... The other big concern — that council continue to weigh in on animal treatment decisions better left to professionals — is far less defensible. City council made a Jumbo mistake last year when it voted to send three elephants to an unaccredited sanctuary rather than an accredited zoo. In doing so, politicians rejected a decision by the zoo’s board and advice from the zoo’s own experts. That ill-judged move came at the urging of animal rights activists. As a result, the Toronto Zoo was stripped of a prized accreditation issued by the organization that sets standards for most major North American zoos.

When the decision is made whether or not to privatize, maintaining council’s right to meddle shouldn’t be the deciding factor.

Toronto City Council made an elephantine mistake last fall and the zoo is suffering the consequences. An international organization [AZA] setting standards for most major North American zoos has stripped the Toronto Zoo of a prized accreditation. And it’s because councillors rejected the advice of the zoo’s expert staff last October [2011] and opted to send three elephants to an unaccredited sanctuary.

... Now the zoo has lost an accreditation it had since 1977. [Councillor] Berardinetti has condemned the AZA for attempting to tell Toronto “what to do with our elephants.” But that’s the organization’s job. Since in its view it is unacceptable to send elephants to an unaccredited facility, the AZA’s action should come as no surprise.

... “No offence to any city (councillors) that made the decision, but they’re quite honestly not qualified to make a decision on what’s best for these elephants,’’ an angry Vernon Presley, one of seven elephant keepers at the [Toronto] zoo, told the Star.

... Peter Evans, a former [Toronto] zoo board member for 12 years, called council’s decision a “slap in the face’’ to the current board and zoo staff. “The arrogance and lack of respect shown and the disregard for the process, is appalling,’’ Evans said.

Wayne Jackson, former zookeeper at the Toronto Zoo, has worked with more than 100 elephants at several zoos around the world.

... "When it comes to such things as zoo animals, it should be the professionals at that particular institution that makes the decision on a particular animal, not someone who really knows nothing about the species or particular animal," said [Wayne] Jackson in his correspondence on [9-Nov-2011 to Mayor Ford].

Friday, 17 August 2012

The following are excerpts from The Globe and Mail and from Toronto Sun with quotations from Toronto City Councillor and Toronto Zoo Board member Gloria Lindsay Luby regarding the Toronto Zoo elephants:

Losing elephants could cost zoo its accreditation (18-Nov-2011)

... the elephant decision [i.e.: Toronto City Council's 24-Oct-2011 decision to send the elephants to PAWS] rankled a few veteran zoo board members. “I was thoroughly disgusted,” said Councillor Gloria Lindsay Luby. “This motion usurped the board’s decision-making process. If you’re going to keep doing that, what’s the point of a zoo board? It’s sneaky, it’s unprecedented and not worthy of council.”

Board member, Councillor Gloria Lindsay Luby, said sending the elephants to PAWS “was the wrong decision” and “now, I just have to be certain we’re not sending them into something they’re going to get sick in and will shorten their life-span” since “because they’re not an accredited institution, they don’t really have any accountability.”

“This whole exercise we are going through has cost us time and money, staff time, the board’s time,” Lindsay Luby said Wednesday. “We’re not saving any money by sending them, I think that has been pretty clear so what are we getting out of it? Nothing, we’re losing three elephants.”

Lindsay Luby said the actual cost of providing food and lodging for the elephants at the Toronto Zoo is quite small and there will be no saving in staff costs once the elephants are gone because those that care for the pachyderms will be redeployed elsewhere in the zoo.

...
Lindsay Luby called the entire elephant affair an “exercise in futility for all concerned.”

...
“It’s not a matter of Councillor Berardinetti being happy … it’s a matter of the vets being happy, they are the people with the expertise,” she said.
-- Toronto Sun, 2-May-2012

Tuesday, 7 August 2012

The first and second videos below show the elephant keeper doing various exercises with Thika the elephant. In the third video below, Toka was eating some hay while the elephant keeper was answering questions. Sometimes when the elephant keeper gives their talk, the elephants are still inside the elephant house. The fourth video below shows just the elephant keeper giving her educational talk; the elephants came outside several minutes after she had finished answering questions.

The elephants used to have exercise sessions twice a day plus individual walks around the back paddock for about 20-30 minutes. Since crate training, the elephants are exercised once a day, sometimes outside, due to time constraints. The elephants are asked to do the exercises by the keeper using positive re-enforcement.

Wednesday, 1 August 2012

Toka:
Toka is a 42 year-old female African Bush elephant. She was born in the wild of Mozambique in 1970. In Sep-1974, she arrived at the Toronto Zoo.

Iringa: (shown in photo at left)
Iringa is a 43 year-old female African Bush elephant. She was born in the wild of Mozambique in 1969. In Nov-1974, she arrived at the Toronto Zoo.

About the name Iringa: The name is derived from the Hehe word lilinga, meaning "fort". There is a city and region in Tanzania named Iringa.

Thika:
Thika is a 32 year-old female African Bush elephant. She was born on 18-Oct-1980 at the Toronto Zoo to parents Tantor(M) and Tequila(F). Thika was the first African elephant born in Canada and the 4th born in North America.

About the name Thika: There are two explanations for the name Thika (pronounced "Thee-ka"; "Thee" as in Theo and Thea). One has its origin in the Kikuyu word Guthika, meaning "to bury".
The other explanation comes from the Maasai word Sika meaning "rubbing something off an edge". There is an industrial town in Central Province, Kenya named Thika.

How to Tell the Elephants Apart:

Click photos to enlarge.

Toka has the long tusks, with left tusk that is broken (shorter than right tusk). She also has a small hole in her left ear. See: Video of Toka.

Friday, 27 July 2012

The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo had a meeting on July 5, 2012. In advance of the meeting I made a written submission to express my concerns about the elephants.

The Chairman did not let me speak at the meeting claiming technical issues, notwithstanding that under the Toronto Zoo's By-laws there is discretion to permit deputants to speak at the meeting and make submissions.

Prior to and after the meeting, I had several email exchanges with Joe Torzsok, Chair of the Toronto Zoo Board of Management, and with the Committee Administrator.

Tuesday, 10 July 2012

In a "nutshell", Toronto Zoo decided to close the elephant exhibit. Then Toronto City Council (not Toronto Zoo) decided to send the elephants to PAWS in California. After checking it out, Toronto Zoo found that PAWS has tuberculosis ("TB") issues and the Toronto Zoo elephants may get TB if they go there. The Toronto Zoo elephants do not have TB. Treating TB involves quarantine and about 100 pills per day taken rectally -- yes, that end. So why risk sending them there? There are other places to send the Toronto Zoo elephants. One place is The National Elephant Center (TNEC) in Florida which opens Spring 2013 and is closer. Contact your Toronto City Councillor and ask that City Council listen to the Toronto Zoo's trained professionals and let Toronto Zoo make the animal care decisions.

An overview:

SaveTheElephants.ca is citizens advocating to: (a) keep the three elephants at the Toronto Zoo, and (b) in the alternative, have them moved to an AZA-accredited facility such as The National Elephant Center (TNEC) in Florida.

The Toronto Zoo has three female African elephants. The three elephants are approximately aged 32 years, 42 years and 43 years and are being well taken care of by the trained professionals at the Toronto Zoo. Average elephant lifespan is 40-60 years.

In May 2011, the Toronto Zoo announced that it would close the elephant exhibit. A study showed that it would have taken $16.5 million to renovate and triple the size of the elephant area. And since elephants are social, three is the recommended minimum herd size (although some zoos have less than three). If one of the senior elephants were to pass away, there would probably be a request put forth to move out the other two elephants or to acquire one or more elephants (possible but probably not likely without the renovation).

The Toronto Zoo and the Toronto Zoo's Board of Management started the lengthy process of exploring the various options of where to send the three elephants. A decision was anticipated around the end of 2011.

In October 2011 (about two months away from a decision), Toronto City Council took less than 1 hour to decide to pass an urgent motion without notice to send the three Toronto Zoo elephants to a place in California called "Performing Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)"; however, PAWS is not accredited by the nationally recognized Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). When council passed the motion, it took the decision out of the hands of the trained professionals at the Toronto Zoo. Subsequently, the AZA revoked Toronto Zoo's long-standing AZA accreditation because of governance issues.

Even as of October 2012, the lengthy due diligence process is still being carried out to ensure that the elephants are safely and humanely transported. Due diligence is not an administrative process of simply filing out paperwork. It includes, but is not limited to, examining the procedures and protocols and animal health records of PAWS. If questions remain from the due diligence process, the agreement to transfer the elephants to PAWS can and should be terminated. See:

Transportation Plan: PAWS is responsible for transporting the elephants. There currently is no transportation plan in place. PAWS originally wanted to fly the elephants in a partially pressurized cargo bay. PAWS finally agreed that was not safe for the elephants or for the zoo's accompanying personnel.

Crates and Training: Toka's steel transport crate is too small. The door cannot close behind her. And there have been setbacks training Iringa to use a crate. Crate training requires patience and trust. During transport, the elephants will be chained inside their crates by three legs for the entire trip.

Medical and Health Records: There is tuberculosis (TB) at PAWS. Toronto Zoo's senior veterinarian Dr. Crawshaw (30+ years experience) has concerns about the bio-security at PAWS. Imagine if you were sending a loved one to a retirement home where there are active cases of an infectious disease; wouldn't you be concerned?

Permits: There were delays in PAWS supplying the USA import permits which expired 1-Oct-2012. An extension on the import permits will likely be required while the Canadian export permits are being prepared by Environment Canada.

Toronto Zoo Board member, Councillor Gloria Lindsay Luby, said deciding to send the elephants to PAWS “was the wrong decision” and “now, I just have to be certain we’re not sending them into something they’re going to get sick in and will shorten their life-span” since “because they’re not an accredited institution, they don’t really have any accountability.” (source: Toronto Sun, 26-Apr-2012)

As of October 2012, PAWS is asking for a deadline to be set and ensure there are no further obstructions and delays. Keep in mind that the delays can be primarily attributed to factors under the responsibility of PAWS. Where's the transportation plan from PAWS? Where are the permits? Where's the bigger crate for Toka? Where are PAWS's answers to the health concerns? And if a deadline is set and the elephants are not ready on that date, would you shove the elephants into the crates kicking and screaming? Of course not. Is it going to be claimed that "the Toronto Zoo is delaying yet again"? A safe and humane transfer can only be done when the elephants are ready.

On 5-Nov-2012, the City of Toronto's Executive Committee passed a motion ordering the three elephants be moved “as soon as possible” to a facility zoo staff “determine is the best location.” This motion is significant and takes things in a positive direction. See: Summary of committee meeting.

On 27-Nov-2012, Toronto City Council discussed the elephants again. Despite the professional advice of the Toronto Zoo professionals, Toronto City Council decided 32-8 to send the three Toronto Zoo elephants to the PAWS facility. See: Summary of Council meeting.

After you consider all the facts, you have to conclude that the professionals at the Toronto Zoo really are looking out for the well-being of these elephants. It's time that this entire elephant transfer be reconsidered. It's about the health and safety of the elephants. Always has been. Always will be.

The Board of Management of the Toronto Zoo had a meeting on July 5, 2012. In advance of the meeting I made a written submission to express my concerns about the elephants.

The Chairman did not let me speak at the meeting claiming technical issues, notwithstanding that under the Toronto Zoo's By-laws there is discretion to permit deputants to speak at the meeting and make submissions.

Prior to and after the meeting, I had several email exchanges with Joe Torzsok, Chair of the Toronto Zoo Board of Management, and with the Committee Administrator.

Friday, 6 July 2012

If you wish to be heard at the July 11/12, 2012 Toronto City Council meeting, you must submit a written submission (verbal presentations won’t be allowed). As such you can send a written submission to the City Clerk.

I understand that Councillor Berardinetti or another Councillor may be bringing a motion to Council at the July 11/12 meeting in regards to the Toronto elephants.

In the event that Ms. Berardinetti or another Councillor brings such a motion without notice or on an urgent basis, then I would like to have the attached written submission distributed to all the Councillors for their consideration of such motion.

Please see attachment.

Please confirm receipt.

If you have any written materials, attach them to your email. If not, then attach (or type in the email directly) a bullet list of your thoughts.

Send your email to clerk@toronto.ca and copy to Mayor Ford (cc: mayor_ford@toronto.ca) and also copy to your local Councillor. See: contact information (scroll down the page).

"Should the zoo management find reason to keep the elephants in Toronto, the two councillors [Scarborough councillors Glenn De Baeremaeker and Michelle Berardinetti] said they're preparing a motion for the July meeting of Toronto Council to ensure that the transfer goes ahead."

However, the Agenda for the July 11-12, 2012 Toronto City Council meeting does not appear to contain any motion in regards to the Elephants. It is unclear whether Councillor Berardinetti or Councillor Baeremaeker or another Councillor may propose an urgent motion without notice as was done on October 25, 2011.